U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) recently sponsored legislation that aims to help alleviate physician shortages, particularly in America’s underserved areas.
“With our current healthcare provider shortage, this bill is more important now than ever,” said Rep. Carter.
The congressman on Aug. 15 sponsored the Health Care Provider Shortage Minimization Act of 2023, H.R. 5208, alongside original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify the treatment of locum tenens physicians and advanced care practitioners as independent contractors.
Locum tenens, which are supplementary physicians and practitioners, fill gaps in hospital staffing that range from permanent staff on vacation or on maternity leave, to multi-year commitments or continuous revolving support due to workforce shortages, according to the text of the bill.
If enacted, H.R. 5208 would codify locum tenens status as independent contractors, allowing them to continue treating patients nationwide, says a bill summary provided by Rep. Carter’s staff.
“Locum tenens provide critical care to patients, especially in rural and under-serviced communities,” Rep. Carter said. “By allowing these essential healthcare workers to maintain their status as independent contractors, we will be able to keep qualified doctors in the workforce and support patients across the country when they seek care.”
The National Association of Locum Tenens supports the proposed bill, which has been referred to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.